The Startup Different Podcast
Startup Different is what happens when two brothers who’ve built and sold startups start debating whether AI is taking over — or just overhyped. Brothers and entrepreneurs Dave and Chris bring humor, hard-earned experience, and a touch of chaos to a weekly breakdown of how artificial intelligence is reshaping business, startups, and work. Smart, funny, and occasionally wrong — it’s the award-winning AI podcast for people who still like humans.
Episodes
Remember when calculators were going to "ruin" math education? Now it's ChatGPT's turn.
When Cal State invested millions to give 460,000 students access to ChatGPT Enterprise, it sparked the exact same debate we've had about every major educational technology for decades.
In this episode of Startup Different, Chris and David break down Cal State's controversial AI investment and ask the hard questions: Is t...
Is the AI boom the next dot-com bust?
While billions pour into AI startups and tech giants race to dominate the space, troubling patterns are emerging that echo the late 1990s—circular funding loops, sky-high valuations with little revenue, and a dangerous concentration of capital in just a few players.
In this episode, we dig into the warning signs that separate a genuine technological revolution from a market bubble ready to pop. ...
Is Amazon's Automation Revolution Coming for Your Job? The Truth About AI, Robotics, and the Future of Work
Amazon plans to automate 75% of its operations by 2027—avoiding the need to hire 160,000 workers. But what does this warehouse automation revolution really mean for the workforce, the economy, and startup opportunities?
In this episode, we dive deep into Amazon's aggressive robotics and AI automation strategy, examining...
Navigating the startup world in 2025 means confronting hard truths and making difficult choices.
In this episode of Startup Different, hosts tackle five of the most pressing and controversial topics shaping tech startups today—from the rise of grueling work schedules that promise productivity but deliver burnout, to the surprising ways compliance is becoming a founder's secret weapon.
Whether you're building in AI, eyeing de...
California just passed the nation's first AI safety and transparency law—a landmark moment that could reshape how we regulate artificial intelligence across the country. But is this groundbreaking legislation enough to protect consumers while keeping innovation alive?
In this episode, Dave and Chris dive deep into California's pioneering AI bill, exploring everything from pre-release safety testing to whistleblower protecti...
Canada Post is hemorrhaging money—over $5 billion in losses since 2018, with no end in sight. As postal workers walk off the job for the second time in a year, the Crown corporation is effectively insolvent, surviving only on a $1 billion government bailout.
But this isn't just a story about a strike. It's about an institution designed for 5.5 billion letters per year now delivering less than half that, while still maintain...
AI was supposed to make us more productive, but something's gone terribly wrong. While AI usage at work has doubled since 2023, a stunning 95% of organizations see zero measurable return on their investment. The culprit? "Workslop" - polished-looking AI-generated content that lacks real substance and creates more work for everyone downstream. Workers are spending nearly two hours dealing with each workslop incident th...
In the age of social media CEOs and viral entrepreneurs, is personal fame the secret sauce to startup success?
This episode dives deep into one of today's most pressing questions for founders: whether building a personal brand is essential or just another distraction from building great products. We explore the fine line between authentic leadership and performative fame-seeking that's reshaping how we think about entreprene...
The IPO market has hit a wall – but is this the end of the road or just a detour? In this eye-opening episode of Startup Different, we dive deep into the dramatic shift reshaping how entrepreneurs think about exits, growth, and building lasting value.
With IPO volumes plummeting and regulatory hurdles mounting, a new generation of entrepreneurs is writing a different playbook. Private equity isn't just for Wall Street anymore – ...
What happens when the world's most ambitious entrepreneur sets his sights on a trillion-dollar payday? In this eye-opening episode of Startup Different, we dive deep into Elon Musk's unprecedented compensation proposal and unpack what it reveals about Tesla's astronomical ambitions.
We explore the staggering implications of Tesla's valuation targets and examine whether this bold vision represents the future of corpor...
Ready or not, AGI is coming - and it could reshape everything we know about business, work, and life itself.
In this eye-opening episode of Startup Different, hosts dive deep into the most consequential technology shift of our lifetime: Artificial General Intelligence. With predictions pointing to AGI's arrival as early as 2028, founders can't afford to ignore what's coming next.
Drawing insights from the AI2027 project a...
Before you panic—we're not suggesting you fire your business partner!
But what if AI could handle many of the roles you've been desperately trying to fill with that elusive "perfect co-founder"?
In this provocative episode of Startup Different, hosts Dave and Chris tackle one of the most controversial questions in modern entrepreneurship: Can artificial intelligence actually replace key founding team members? The answer might surpri...
A thought-provoking conversation about something every tech leader needs to hear: the hidden biases around AI adoption in coding.
We dove deep into some uncomfortable truths:
- Why women and older engineers face unfair judgment when using AI tools
- How fear of "looking incompetent" is holding back entire teams
- The real impact on job security fears among developers
- Why cultural resistance to AI is creating workplace inequities ...
Think successful founders never take vacations? Think again. We bust the myth that grinding 24/7 equals success and share why stepping away might be the smartest business move you'll make this year.
New grad or seasoned pro? Every startup faces this hiring choice. We break down when fresh talent beats experience, why culture trumps credentials, and how to build a team that won't jump ship in six months.
Everyone's obsessing over getting people "back to the office" – but what if we're solving the wrong problem? While AI transforms entire industries, we're still debating desk locations. Dave and Chris unpack the real data on remote, hybrid, and office work, revealing surprising truths about productivity, collaboration, and what employees actually need to thrive.
AI is replacing entry-level jobs—and most grads are stuck in resume purgatory. In this episode, David and Chris break down why your early 20s are the best time to start a business, even if you have no money, no idea, and no experience. This isn’t a hype fest—it’s a practical playbook for launching fast, learning fast, and building something real.
PODCAST LINKS
Website:
https://www.startupdifferent.com
YouTube Channel:
http...
When traditional ads failed, we went full guerrilla—and it actually worked. From postcards to giant fake checks, we share the scrappy, creative tactics that got real results (and laughs) for our startup. If you're tired of burning cash on paid ads, this episode might just change your marketing playbook.
PODCAST LINKS
Website:
https://www.startupdifferent.com
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@StartupDifferent
Do social ads even work—or are you just paying bots to click "like"? In this episode, we break down our own experience with YouTube and Facebook ads, what Prof G had to say about it, and why most founders might be wasting their money. If you're bootstrapping and debating digital ads, listen before you spend a dime.
PODCAST LINKS
Website:
https://www.startupdifferent.com
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@S...
Most founders dream of scaling fast, but resellers can quietly kill your margins, brand control, and growth velocity. In this episode, David and Chris break down real-world pitfalls from founders who handed off sales too early—and paid for it. If you're considering a reseller strategy to accelerate revenue, this is your warning shot (and what to do instead).
PODCAST LINKS
Website:
https://www.startupdifferent.com
YouTu...
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